C3 Corvettes Tearing it up on the Track

Daily Slideshow: It is always a beautiful sight to see a classic C3 Corvette in its element, slicing and dicing on the race track. Here are some great old photographs of C3s taking to the track.

By Curated Content Editor - November 2, 2018

1. Meadowdale SCCA National

Take a trip down memory lane with these vintage C3 Corvettes racing in the Meadowdale, IL SCCA National posted by forum member BJM. These cars were almost brand new at the time. You have to imagine the driver of that Mustang was pretty amazed to be hanging in a pack of Vettes.

2. C3 vs C4

A great example of how Corvette dominates the race track, this picture shows the C3 and the C4 Corvettes competing against each other. The C3 Corvette was introduced in 1968, and its power and handling were equal to anything out there. By the time the C4 came around the bloom was off the rose, and the C3 was heavy and underpowered due to smog and crash regulations. But a well put together C3 can still run with a C4 on the track.

3. Number 99

This C3 Corvette looks like it has been around the block a few times. The race-modified classic has probably done some serious speeds on the track, you can tell it isn't playing around from the roll cage. What's under the hood? You never know with a C3, as both big and small block motors slip right in, and that power bulge hood can hide a lot.

4. Track Queen

There are some cars that you can look at and realize they were probably ferocious on the track, like this C3 Corvette. Number 6 is obviously well-equipped, with its wide body, roll cage, and fat tires. If you close your eyes, you can almost hear it roar when racing through the curvy esses of the track at Sears Point or Road America.

5. Le Mans Classic

The 24-Hour of Le Mans is one of the most prestigious races in the world, and one of the hardest to win. Corvettes are no stranger to the big race at Le Mans every year, but this was taken during the 2006 Le Mans Classic. The Le Mans Classic runs every two years, and it includes cars (or recreations) that have once competed at the 24-Hour of Le Mans. This Corvette shows exactly what the racers from the early 1970s would have had to work with back in the day.

6. American Legend

There is always a bit of debate between fans of various brands and nationalities when it comes to sports cars. Some folks think the Corvette is a pretender to the sports car throne, and some think the BMW sports sedan is just a gussied up taxi. When the green flag flies though, it is time to stop the speculating and start driving.

7. Parker Racing LT-1

It is one thing to drive a rare C3 Corvette on the road, but it is a whole different sight when you see it on the track. This early chrome bumper C3 is a real LT-1 Vette, doing what it does best on the racing track, with forum member ParkerRacing. Look at the picture and just imagine the sound this high revving C3 was producing as it took these corners. These days, a real LT-1 equipped C3 will cost you as much as a brand new C7, and few people are brave enough to take them to the track.